Laverne A. Rose; Retired Operating Engineer

Laverne A. Rose, a retired operating engineer, died May 4 at Ojai Valley Community Hospital after a brief illness. He was 82.

He was born March 14, 1918, in Butler, Pa., and, at the age of 10, moved to the Panama Canal Zone. He graduated from high school there and completed a four-year apprenticeship as an operating engineer. During World War II, Rose served with the Seabees in the Pacific.

After the war, he moved to Ventura and lived in the Ojai Valley for the last 48 years.

For more than 50 years, Rose was a member of the operating engineers union. He retired in 1974 and began traveling throughout this country and Canada with his wife, Ursula, in their RV.

Rose was also an active member of Ojai First Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by daughters Jeannie Hord of Moorpark and Janet Burt of Ojai; brothers Robert of Ojai and Harold of Auburn; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Ojai First Baptist Church, with Wilbur Skeels officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society or Ojai First Baptist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai.